Brendan Jensen and Amber Beckley-Jensen: Enhancing Topeka’s quality of life

Saturday

Jun 17, 2017 at 10:49 AM

Katie Moore

Brendan Jensen and Amber Beckley-Jensen are engaged in downtown’s evolution on a number of fronts.

As owners of 826 S. Kansas Ave., one of the oldest buildings on the east side of the 800 block, the couple is in the process of restoring the façade to reflect the original one from the early 1900s as well as renovating both floors of the building.

They also volunteer with Downtown Topeka Inc.

Jensen, a city councilman, has been involved with revitalization efforts for several years, as designs have evolved and public input has been collected.

A major component on progress has been the public-private partnerships that have laid the foundation for downtown’s success, Jensen said.

It’s important to have a central entertainment district, he said, a place that’s the core of the community where people can gather and know there’s something to do.

It will enhance the quality of life, Jensen said.

In the summer of 2014, as construction along Kansas Avenue impeded traffic and therefore business, Beckley-Jensen formed the Downtown Summer Yoga Series.

“I wanted to do something positive and bring in people,” the native Topekan said.

The classes were held at various spots downtown. A unique component was that downtown shop owners had a chance to talk to participants at the yoga sessions in an effort to reach potential patrons.

It worked really well to help bring people into downtown establishments, Beckley-Jensen said.

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